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Vol. 10, No. 44, Tuesday, September 1, 2015
North of 16 Blues & Country Music Festival showcases some of Canada’s most talented singer/songwriters Michelle Pinon Editor The talents of the Command Sisters have taken them from Nashville to Los Angeles to Shanghai and Chipman. Sisters Sarah and Charlotte sang in perfect harmony, and their skills on guitar were just as impressive, when they performed on stage in the Chipman National Hall Saturday, August 15 before an audience of about 50 concert goers. Equally impressive was Willie James & Crawdad at the Chipman Hotel. Jacquie Fenske stated that the venue was packed. But the talent was limited to just those two acts, it
spread to Front Porch Roots Revue with Stewart McDougal, Blue Yonder, Tim Hus, Monkey Junk, Randy Hollar, as well as Alfie and Byron Myhre.
Scott Reid According to rough estimates, around 500 people attended the two day festival. There were
just over 100 volunteers who contributed their time to make North of 16 a success. Fenske said the festival has “great potential” and said she will be making a return engagement after camping out on the ag. grounds over the weekend. There are many others who will be doing the same next year. Chipman Ag. Society President Scott Reid heard some positive feedback including: “The event was very well organized. For the first time that was a huge compliment,” said Reid. Even his farrier told him that relatives were already talking about it. Of course, Facebook already had plenty of comments, and several
people said they would be coming out to Chipman next year for the festival. Organizers also received suggestions as to ways they could make improvements, and now they will have a year to make adjustments and tweak plans for the 2016 edition of the North of 16 Blues & Country Music Festival. “If they keep doing this, it will keep getting bigger,” said Randy Hollar. “I think Chipman can pull it off,” he added. “Just because it’s a small town doesn’t mean you can’t do great things,” said Fort Saskatchewan-Vegreville MLA Jessica Littlewood.
MICHELLE PINON PHOTOS
Chipmanʼs own Randy Hollar hit all the right notes during his Friday evening performance.
Volunteers urgently needed emergency care 24/7 petition Michelle Pinon Editor
Two time North American Fiddle Champion Alfie Myhre and award winning musician-son Byron Myhre teamed up to play several tunes together Friday evening at the Chipman Ag. Grounds. The musical duo also joined Randy Hollar for a few songs before Front Porch Revue with Stewart McDougal hit the stage.
A Lamont senior citizen who has been advocating for the reinstatement of 24/7 emergency care at the Lamont Health Care Centre (LHCC) is one step closer to his goal. Larry Doskoch, said now he needs volunteers to help draft a petition, and canvas residents to sign it, and then forward it on to the provincial government. “I need volunteers from every corner of the county to form a petition committee,” stated Doskoch. He realizes that timing isn’t exactly ideal with harvesting in full swing, but he
would like if at all possible to have the petition completed by the time the budget comes out this fall. Doskoch is asking anyone who is interested in assisting him in his cause to email him at: emergcare24.7@gmail.com Previously, members of the Lamont Health Care Centre made a funding request to Alberta Health Services to support 24 hour emergency coverage and availability. Initially Doskoch had requested assistance on the matter from Lamont town council, but was told it was a matter for the health board as LHCC is a privately oprated facility.